Letter from the Dean

It is with great pleasure that I share with you the Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan (D & I Plan) for Albert Einstein College of Medicine. This D & I Plan represents the work of over 40 Einstein and Montefiore colleagues, with guidance from Ed Burns, executive dean; Irene Blanco, associate professor of clinical medicine and associate dean for diversity enhancement; and Yvonne Ramirez, vice president for human resources, during 2017.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine has from our inception welcomed students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds who strive to enhance human health in the community and beyond. This is an attribute in which Albert Einstein took great pride when consenting to the use of his name in conjunction with the medical school. At the core of the Montefiore-Einstein mission is the pursuit of social justice in meeting the healthcare needs of all individuals, including those from underserved communities.

The D & I Plan provides a comprehensive action plan intended to position the College of Medicine to continue its leadership role in attracting the best talent and doing so by providing an environment where diversity, inclusion and cultural competence are strategically positioned as among our highest priorities. These values are critical to our mission and to our ability to remain competitive. More importantly, the environment we provide will help us educate and train the best doctors and researchers for the future.

The D & I Plan is a multiyear effort that the new Einstein dean will be able to continue to shape and strengthen. In the meantime, it will establish the foundation for success in this area. The D & I Plan includes measurable goals that have been delegated to key leaders and faculty at the College of Medicine. The first major objective is accomplished today as I share with you and the internal and external Einstein communities that I am endorsing the adoption of an institution-wide Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan and Vision Statement.

I encourage you to review the D &I Plan and participate in working to improve Einstein. You can start by attending one of several town hall meetings scheduled in February 2018. The D & I Plan and town hall schedule are now available on our new Diversity@Einstein web page. This new resource provides you with access to other important links and information and will also feature the recently enhanced Office of Diversity Enhancement website scheduled to launch on February 7, 2018.

Einstein will continue to strengthen its commitment to diversity in coming years. We have much to celebrate and many challenges. We look forward to your continuing support in these endeavors.